I don’t know how this passed by me, but I just recently heard that September is “Happy Cat Month.” And in an effort to ensure our happiness this month, the CATalyst Council has listed the top 10 ways humans can keep their cats happy. Let me tell you, I looked at the list and if my human did the majority of those things to me this month, I would most certainly not be happy! True, they are important to our overall health and wellbeing in general, and the CATalyst Council has our best interests at heart, but many of these suggestions are just not fun for us kitties! So let me modify their list a little. Humans, listen to my wise words and take note:
- “Visit the veterinarian,” says the CATalyst Council. No way, I say — at least not in September. Vet visits are not happy times! Unless there is a pressing reason, like if your cat is injured or suddenly gets sick or is dealing with some sort of chronic condition, do not take your cat to the vet this month! Schedule it for August or October. If you want us to be happy in September, let us stay home.
- The CATalyst Council thinks you should “microchip your cat” this month. Nope, you should have done that before September! Supposedly microchipping is not that big a deal. I say have you seen that huge needle they stick between our shoulder blades? And don’t forget how small we are compared to you humans, so that needle is even bigger to us. It’s really not fun. Plus it generally involves a trip to the vet. Of course we should be microchipped, but if you want us to be happy in September, can you choose another month in which to do it?
- “Go outside,” urges the CATalyst Council — only make sure we are in strollers or safe enclosures, or on leashes and harnesses. This is not a bad idea (well, maybe except for the leash part), except that getting us acclimated to these things is not all that much fun. In fact, for a kitty like me who gets very nervous outside of the house, it can be traumatic and it will take a lot of patience before it might turn into a happy experience for me. So If you want to make your cat happy this month by taking her outside, then get her used to the stroller or enclosure or (gah!) harness well beforehand.
- I’ll directly quote the CATalyst Council on this one because I do agree with this: “Scratch the surface. Cats should have places they are allowed to stretch and care for their claws. Scratching is an important aspect of feline behavior. Providing a long and sturdy scratching post in a vertical, horizontal or angled position is a good way to keep your cat happy… and your sofa, too!” So yes, buy your cats lots of cool, sturdy scratching surfaces and cat trees this month. This gets my paw of approval!
- “Provide preventative medications,” advises the CATalyst Council — meaning flea and heartworm meds. They mention that even indoor cats can get parasites, and this is actually true; I got fleas a couple of times and I never go outdoors. (I blame the dog.) But this is another unpleasant thing that should be taken care of earlier in the year, if you want to guarantee that us kitties have a happy (and itch free) September.
- “Train together” — this is an idea that the CATalyst Council has gotten a bit twisted around. They think humans should train cats, but we cats all know it is the other way around. If you want to make your cat happy, let him train you! I think it will make you happy too. I taught my human to play fetch — she tosses my toys and then fetches them when I am done playing with them. And I never hear her complain. Much.
- “Work for food” is another wacky suggestion from the CATalyst Council. They believe that using treat toys to get overweight cats to exercise will help them drop their flab. Yeah, maybe it will, but maybe it will also frustrate them, plus they will be hungry. That does not sound like a happy experience to me. How about feeding your cats a high quality, high protein, portion controlled diet to begin with to keep weight gain at a minimum? A happy cat is not a dieting cat. You humans should know about that sort of thing from your own experiences.
- “Get your cat acclimated to the carrier” — oh come on, CATalyst Council! If you really want us to be happy this month, do not get that carrier anywhere near us! This is another thing you should do during August. I just thought of something — it sounds like August is quickly becoming the unhappiest month of the year. We will need September just to recover from it!
- This one is spot on: “Provide prey toys.” Thank you, CATalyst Council, for acknowledging how much we cats like to hunt. In fact, if you humans want to make us even happier, get us some actual prey! Bring home a mouse or a grasshopper and let it loose in the house so we can hunt it down and kill it. If you are lucky, we may even present the carcass to you as a gift.
- “Think about getting another cat.” The CATalyst Council has a point here. Many cats enjoy having roommates to keep them company, and to commiserate with when their humans do something especially dumb. But actually getting another cat can be stressful, and that is not happy-making. So thinking about getting another cat is a great idea — just don’t act on it until October.
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See all of Summer’s merch at her Designercat Shop, available on Zazzle.
For most part, the CATalyst Council is terribly out of sync and I suggest that one of us cats should be elected to the board to keep those deluded humans straight.
I was right with you till the last item….
Happy cat MONTH? Aren’t kittehz supposed to be kept happy efurry month of the year?!? Also, we thinks these ideas suck. Forget “acclimated carriers”. Howzabout more heated cat cups? Visit the V-E-T? More like,open windows fur whiffies efurryday. Eben if it’s elebenty hundred degrees outside. These are just a few suggestions. Purrs from Prancer Pie. xoxo
Sparkle, Thank you. Those are the 10 worst ideas ever! (Well, they were before you improved them!) What were they thinking? I mean why didn’t they add: Give your kitty a nice BATH or something? Sheesh.
I need to go back to sleep now.
6 and 9 are my faves. I have tW trained to throw my toys and than fetch them. It makes me happy watching her do that.
Sparkle, your version is so much better than theirs!
I noticed they did not mention giving your cat tuna once!!!
Kisses
Nellie
We like your additions better, Sparkle! And how about for #3, “build your cat a catio.” Besides your suggestion for #7, play with your cat more! If our mom just generally spoiled us rotten (more so than usual ;)) we’d be happy cats this month (and any month!)
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, HOllie
Sparkle!!! You´re a handsome guy!
That’s nice of you to say, except, um, I’m a girl kitty!
Oh, gosh, not #10! I can’t tell you how close my mom came to getting another little boy the other day! We don’t want her to turn into a complete crazy cat lady!
Oh, and guess what? I have a Happy Cat watch!
OK, so maybe it’s really my mom’s.
We wonder what cat the CATalyst Council is trying to make happy?? Not us!! We like your version better, Sparkle!!
Excellent Sparkle!
purrs
>^,,^<
♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥
Sparkle, thanks for sticking up for our point of view. Going to the vet will definitely NOT make me happy!
Okay, looks like we all voted and it’s unanimouse, your version is purrfect!
I kind of agree with you, Sparkle. A lot of those things — especially vets and medications are not fun and won’t make a cat happy. However, they are necessary sometimes.
I think a cat will let you know if it’s happy, and why fix something that isn’t broke?
We agree with you Sparkle that most of those things would not make us happy in September or any month! We like the prey toys but no way to another kitty no matter what our mommy thinks!
Well I (Thomas) sure agree especially with the last one about adopting another kitty……annnnd, I will soon grow out of my trouble making………soon=^Y^=
Thanks Cat fur your commin senss Sparkle!
I did giggle Miss Sparkle – what ideas people have MOL!!
You’re right Sparkle!! Specially going to the vet, why fix or check-up something not broken.
I do prefer more toys and scratching posts.
Yea!!!! Your rules are much better!! Who do the CATalyst Council think they are on making us work for our dinner!! But toys are good!
You are wise Sparkle although the publicist thinks Harry the Farm cat needs a kitten but the male person disagrees
Sparkle, you truly outdid yourself! I agree with you.
Yes, some of those suggestions are indeed a little strange…
Purrs,
The Chans
Jack’s list would be
1)cookies
2)cookies
3)cookies
4)cookies
5)pat me
6)cookies
7)cookies
8)nap w/ momma
9)cookies
10)cookies
Good thing they don’t ask him hun?
YIKES – what were they thinking with that list? V-E-T visits, medicines, outside? We’re already under the bed.
As for #9, there was a really nice (tasty) looking grasshopper in the house last night…..and Mom caught it and took it outside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BAD MOM!
The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie
Yeah – we don’t think so about most of those things……especially the ones that involve the v-e-t. But we could get into having a few more toys. And if there are families out there with 1 or 2 cats, shelters have lots that need to be adopted (this house is full up though). 🙂 Thanks for the well wishes and purrs for Trevor….he seems to be doing a little better this morning.
Wow, they came up with a rather, ahem, crummy list. You’ve done all the right modifications!
You version is best Sparkle – and how dare they say we should work for our food! How cheeky!
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Wow Sparkle, those are some great points you made. We especially like the one where you trained your Mom to fetch. Good job. We are going to type this up so that our Mom can read it all and act on them. Take care.
As always, you do know best, Sparkle.
Yes… I like your modifications much better.
pawhugs, Max
We agree with Mr. Puddy. You have much better tips than that CATalyst council for really making us happy!
LOVE this! Good going, Sparkle!
MOL..I think I like your version, Cat’s rule is always the best !
Happy Cat Month : )
xoxo